A REVIEW OF SARPAGANDHA IN AYURVEDIC CLASSICS AND NIGHANTUS

Sarpagandha Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz is a member of the family Apocynaceae. It is a plant that commonly grows in mountains and hilly regions. The roots look like a Sarpa (Snake) with a peculiar smell. The flowers are red in colour. The fruit resembles the eye of a snake, and the plant had exudation. Sarpagandha is said to have Katu-Tikta-Kasaya in Rasa and Ruksha in Guna, Ushna in Veerya, Katu in Vipaka, and is said to have Kaphavatahara and Nidrajanana property. It is used in the management of Shoola, Jwara, Unmada, and Raktavata. Modern pharmacological studies explain its role as a cardio-depressant, antihelminthic, carminative, digestive, febrifuge, etc. Sarpagandha was reviewed in various texts like the Veda, Samhita, Nighantus, and Kosha Grantha. Sarpagandha was found to be the main ingredient of Sarpagandhadi Vati, Sarpagandhadi Churna, and Sarpagandha yoga. Various Paryaya, Guna, Karma, and different opinions of Acharyas in various Nighantu were reviewed.